Perth’s only Avocado Festival is heading to Araluen Botanic Park this weekend – the 24th and 25th of November. If you LOVE smashing back some avocado, then Araluen Avocado Festival, a celebration of this healthy and versatile fruit, is avo-solutely for you!
Just this month, cooking extraordinaire Nigella Lawson praised West Australian avocados calling them “the most wonderful butter”. I totally agree with her. Besides in salads, I use my avo like butter on bread, crackers, toast and as a dip. As the Avocado Festival will show, this creamy and delicious fruit is even more versatile than you could ever imagine!
The two day event will be held at stunning Araluen Botanic Park, which is found in the amazing Perth Hills, located just 35km from Perth’s CBD. Here’s my preview of what you can expect to discover at the Araluen Avocado Festival:
Avocado Packed Food
A variety of food trucks and stalls will cover all your foodie needs – from every one’s favourites smashed avo and guacamole, to unique drinks like avocado beer, cocktails and cider and must try treats like avocado pizza, frozen avocado yogurt pops and avocado ice cream.
Live Demos
On the stage, Perthonalities will be giving talks and cooking demos, and there’s a Smashed Avo competition too! ABC TV’s Verity James, butcher Vince Garreffa from Mondo Butchers and gardening guru Sue McDougall are amongst just some of the local avocado lovers sharing their passion for the yummy green stuff!
Avo Products
There’s so much you can do with the humble avocado. They’ll be lots of stalls to browse, packed with avocado health and beauty products, the latest avocado tools and gadgets, as well as a range of avocado and chilli plants, including hard-to-find varieties, that are available to purchase and grow yourself.
Entertainment
At the amphitheatre, you can “Guac ‘n’ Roll” to the live music! It’s a fab spot to take a picnic rug and enjoy your food with some cool tunes. There’s plenty to entertain the kids too, with an animal farm on Saturday and Storytelling on Sunday.
Avo Offers
Venues in the Perth Hills (Armadale region) will be celebrating with special avocado-themed offers at selected restaurants, bars, and retreats throughout November. At the very aptly names Avocados Restaurant, on the Canning River, try avo Damper, avocado margaritas and avocado & pecan cake. Healthy drive through, “Bean Thru” is offering a great value chicken, avocado and quinoa salad, as well as avocado and blueberry smoothies.
And while you’re at the Araluen Avocado Festival, why not make a day of it and see some of the City of Armadale other attractions – waterfalls, wineries, cideries and wildflowers. My pick is the delicious Naked Apple Cider House.
If you want to stay a little longer and explore the area, Avocado’s Accommodation is offering packages for the weekend of the festival which includes two entry tickets, an overnight stay and breakfast for two for just $130 (valued at $200).
So, make sure you get along to enjoy some delicious Avocado this weekend at Araluen – I’ll see you there!
See the full list of Avocado Special Offers which are available throughout November at: https://www.perthhillsarmadale.com.au/avocado-special-offers
And for more information, including the list of demo times etc, see the full event guide here: https://www.araluenbotanicpark.com.au/araluens-avocado-festival-2018/
Find Araluen Botanic Park at 362 Croyden Road, Roleystone.
This blog has been written by myself, in collaboration with Perth Hills Armadale.